ELKINS – Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood has announced the leadership role for Dr. Rosemary Thomas will elevate to executive vice president. Her new position will take effect July 1.
In her new role, Thomas will be responsible for enrollment management, marketing and communications, oversight of the dean of student life, dining services, compliance, and special assignments from the president such as leading the COVID-19 Task Force and an upcoming campus-wide retention initiative.
“Dr. Rosemary Thomas is a proven leader, a gifted manager, a creative partner and a passionate believer in the power of higher education to mold lives,” Wood said. “Our relationship goes back more than 30 years and I have always admired her gifts and talents which she demonstrated at other colleges and universities. Davis & Elkins College is fortunate to have Rosemary back in her beloved home state building upon D&E’s solid foundation and ensuring a bright future. Her promotion to executive vice president is well deserved.”
A native of Fairmont, Thomas was appointed vice president of enrollment management and institutional advancement at D&E in 2017. Since that time, she oversaw operations of the Office of Admission, student retention efforts and the Office of Institutional Advancement, which includes alumni, church relations and development, along with communications and marketing, and served as a member of the president’s senior management team.
Thomas was responsible for bringing the week-long American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State session to the Davis & Elkins campus. In addition, she led a team of campus leaders in formulating a campus master plan to prepare the College for future growth on multiple fronts. Beginning in spring 2020, she chaired the COVID-19 Task Force which employed various efforts and resources in preparation of re-opening the campus to students for the 2020-2021 academic year.
“I am humbled and excited as we look toward the future,” Thomas said. “Serving Davis & Elkins College is fulfilling on so many levels; working with Chris, who has long been a faithful advisor, professional mentor and friend, is truly a blessing. The atmosphere here is one of exuberance and the people who make up this campus community form a family dedicated to fulfilling our mission. The traditions are rich and the future is bright!”
Prior to her position at D&E, Thomas was the chief operating officer for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. She also has served as vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FSU Foundation at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland; vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FGCU Foundation at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida; vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the SU Foundation at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland; vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the GSC Foundation at Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia; and various positions at Fairmont State (College) University.
She currently serves as the campaign co-chair for the Tygart Valley United Way, president of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins, director of American Legion Auxiliary WV Rhododendron Girls State and president of the Community Care of West Virginia board of directors.
Thomas earned a Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from West Virginia University in 2007 and was an honors graduate at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina, with a Master of Public Administration in 1992. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, in 1990.
